Forrettabarinn is an icelandic small plates restaurant in 101, Reykjavik.
Editorially verified May 28, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Starters and small plates, Mussels
Must order: Pick four or five starters across fish, meat and veg to make a meal.
Tip: Down in the old west-end harbour streets, away from the Laugavegur crush. Good shared-plate value.
Address: Nylendugata 14, 101 Reykjavik
Sushi Social on Thingholtsstraeti blends sushi with a South American grill, a dim Reykjavik basement pouring cocktails alongside Nikkei-style rolls.
Signature: Nikkei sushi, South American grill
Order: A mixed sushi selection, then something off the South American grill.
Tip: Dinner only from 17:00, with a strong happy hour early on. Book for weekends, it fills up.
Kol on Skolavordustigur grills modern Icelandic plates over charcoal a minute from Hallgrimskirkja, a polished Reykjavik room best known for its steaks.
Signature: Grilled steaks, Charcoal-cooked fish
Order: A charcoal-grilled steak, or the catch cooked over the same coals.
Tip: The cocktail bar is a destination on its own. Lunch is the value sitting before the dinner rush.
Austur-Indiafjelagid has cooked regional Indian food with Icelandic produce on Hverfisgata since 1994, the Grapevine's repeat pick for Reykjavik's best.
Signature: Tandoori salmon, Regional curries
Order: The tandoori salmon, the dish that bridges Icelandic fish and a Delhi tandoor.
Tip: Reykjavik's oldest Indian kitchen and a repeat Best of Reykjavik winner. Dinner only, book a table.
Kopar sits over the water at the Old Harbour on Geirsgata, a Reykjavik seafood room that leans on local langoustine and cod with vegan plates too.
Signature: Langoustine, Cod
Order: The langoustine, or the signature cod with whatever is in season.
Tip: Ask for a window table over the harbour. Lunch is the cheaper way into the same kitchen.
Sushi Social on Thingholtsstraeti blends sushi with a South American grill, a dim Reykjavik basement pouring cocktails alongside Nikkei-style rolls.
Signature: Nikkei sushi, South American grill
Order: A mixed sushi selection, then something off the South American grill.
Tip: Dinner only from 17:00, with a strong happy hour early on. Book for weekends, it fills up.
Kol on Skolavordustigur grills modern Icelandic plates over charcoal a minute from Hallgrimskirkja, a polished Reykjavik room best known for its steaks.
Signature: Grilled steaks, Charcoal-cooked fish
Order: A charcoal-grilled steak, or the catch cooked over the same coals.
Tip: The cocktail bar is a destination on its own. Lunch is the value sitting before the dinner rush.
Kaffivagninn on Grandagardur has fed harbour workers since 1935, billed as Iceland's oldest restaurant, where the catch of the day is the meal in Reykjavik.
Signature: Catch of the day, Plokkfiskur
Order: The catch of the day, eaten where the fishermen themselves still eat.
Tip: Started as a coffee cart on the docks in 1935. Open from 08:00 for breakfast by the water.
Hofnin, The Harbour, fills a 1930s house on Geirsgata with family-run Icelandic seafood, a Reykjavik room for shellfish soup and plokkfiskur by the marina.
Signature: Shellfish soup, Plokkfiskur
Order: The shellfish soup, or plokkfiskur, the creamy Icelandic fish-and-potato stew.
Tip: Window tables look out on Mount Esja across the water. Popular, so book ahead in summer.
Austur-Indiafjelagid has cooked regional Indian food with Icelandic produce on Hverfisgata since 1994, the Grapevine's repeat pick for Reykjavik's best.
Signature: Tandoori salmon, Regional curries
Order: The tandoori salmon, the dish that bridges Icelandic fish and a Delhi tandoor.
Tip: Reykjavik's oldest Indian kitchen and a repeat Best of Reykjavik winner. Dinner only, book a table.
